Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF Push for Southern Candidates in 2027

On Tuesday, during a joint press conference in Abuja, the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), which includes Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), urged political parties to field southern candidates for the 2027 presidential election. The meeting was attended by notable leaders such as Oladipo Olaitan, the faction leader of Afenifere, Bitru Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum, Senator John Azuta Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Godknow Igali, a leader of PANDEF.

They highlighted the importance of zoning the presidency to the south for eight years following Muhammadu Buhari's tenure to ensure national stability. The forum also expressed concerns over Nigeria's deteriorating security situation, noting that 70% of the country's territory remains ungoverned due to a lack of security personnel.

They reiterated their support for establishing state and community policing as part of measures to address insecurity and called for constitutional amendments to facilitate this. Additionally, they urged the federal government to tackle economic hardships and support local refineries to reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.